MZUZU-(MaraviPost)—Raiply Malawi Limited has cried foul for the loss of over K2.5 billion in the past two years due to the Electricity Supply Company of Malawi’s (ESCOM) importation of electricity poles from outside Malawi instead of purchasing from the local producer.
Raiply Malawi Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Khrishina Dash, said since 2016, ESCOM has not been purchasing electricity poles from the timber company; a development which has led to loss of business on the latter’s part.
“Things are happening. Because being a local manufacturer in the country, normally we think we will be supported since we have such a requirement in this country. Unfortunately, the last two years also, we did not get orders from the organisation though we have been engaging the officers,” said the Raiply boss.
However, ESCOM through its Spokesperson, Innocent Chitosi, said the decision to halt purchasing products from Raiply was arrived at due to poor quality of their products.
Chitosi said: “Raiply used to supply us. They were willing to do so. But then, there was a time when their poles could not last. A well mature and well treated pole takes a period of sixteen years, but their poles could only last a year or two.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour, Ken Kandodo, who visited Raiply Company premises on Tuesday, said government will engage relevant authorities from Ministry of Energy and ESCOM to arrive at a win-win situation towards promotion of buy Malawi initiative.
“Let us try to sit down and do what is right for this country by promoting locally made products such as the ones being produced by Raiply here,” said the minister.
Raiply Malawi Limited is a company that manufactures timber based products from Viphya Forest Reserve as a concessioner.
